Inspector General Hafiz AbubakarThere was apprehension in many parts of Zaria in Kaduna State yesterday as news spread of the arrest by the police of prominent Muslim cleric Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Adam Albani.

Sheikh Albani, who is based in Zaria, was said to have been asked by Police Inspector General (IGP) Hafiz Ringim to report to the Kaduna State Police Command for interrogation in connection with the pre-election bomb blasts in Kaduna city.

Confirming the arrest, Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer DSP Aminu Lawal said details of why the police picked the Islamic scholar would be made public in due course.

A reliable source however told Daily Trust that Sheikh Albani was invited by the IGP to Abuja for interrogation but was asked to report himself to the police’s Kaduna Command.

“He was in Abuja on the IGP’s invitation on Friday but was asked to report to the Kaduna Command on Saturday. He was detained at Kaduna since Saturday afternoon up till today Sunday. We learnt that they were accusing him of having information on the bombs that exploded before the presidential election in Kaduna city. All those arrested in connection of the bomb blasts could neither recognise Malam’s (Albani) voice nor his face when they were asked to do that in the midst of other people,” a student of the cleric who prefers anonymity, said.

Albani’s detention was first noticed when his students gathered at his school, Darul Hadith in Gaskiya Layout for their routine weekend lessons. The rumours of his arrest began to spread on Friday when a list of those to be arrested was said to have been handed down to some district heads and Sheikh Albani and other scholars’ names were said to have topped the list.

“In Tukur Tukur, for example, it was the district head, Alhaji Akilu Idris Dan Isan Zazzau that is coordinating the arrest. The district head had last week summoned his ward heads to tell them the people that would be arrested in their areas. It is in connection with that the police attempted to arrest one Yusuf Yellow at Unguwan Mahauta in Tudun Jukun but women and youths of the area resisted the arrest.

“Apart from Albani, other youthful scholars of Zaria like Ustaz Nura Dambo are all on the list. It would interest you to know that because some of the ward heads refused to cooperate with Dan Isan Zazzau on this issue, he ordered the arrest of Sarkin Tudun Jukun and other ward heads,” a resident, who gave his name as Aliyu Mai Jama’a, told Daily Trust.

When contacted, Dan Isan Zazzau said he was not aware of any such list, saying that traditional rulers are not policemen and as such, they don’t have the powers to either arrest or intimidate any person.

Since the post-election riot, the police in Zaria have been inviting different categories of people for interrogation. Islamic scholars were the most affected.

“Our fear is that this incessant arrest can lead to another round of crisis especially if the massacre of our people at southern Kaduna is anything to go by. We didn’t see the police intimidating or arresting the suspects of the massacre, which means they have targets on those to victimise. The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who is said to be behind the arrest of our scholars and people, should be very careful because the more our people are arrested and intimidated the more we hate the VP and his entire party,” Malam Mai Jama’a said.

However, Malam Umar Sani, the media aide to the VP said that Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo was not involved in police investigations and could not have ordered any arrests.

it is obvious that this jonathan/sambo administration has nothing to offer when it comes to security. since oct 1, 2010, nothing serious has happened on the issue of these bombs here and there.imagine jonathan telling nigerians that Chief Raymond Dokpesi was behind the oct bombing only to trick him into becoming one of his campaign managers.it is a shame that our lives mean nothing to these ppl.

it is obvious that this jonathan/sambo administration has nothing to offer when it comes to security. since oct 1, 2010, nothing serious has happened on the issue of these bombs here and there.imagine jonathan telling nigerians that Chief Raymond Dokpesi was behind the oct bombing only to trick him into becoming one of his campaign managers.it is a shame that our lives mean nothing to these ppl.

I'd like to believe you're of adult age so i'll address you accordingly. There have been bomb blasts in Nigeria since the 80's, has anyone ever been identified or arrested in connection with any ? This is probably the first time measures are being taken in the aftermath of one so don't run your mouth if you have nothing to offer. It is not a secret on the section of the country suspected of being behind those blasts and that is probably why these arrests are targeted at these specific groups low lives.

“Our fear is that this incessant arrest can lead to another round of crisis especially if the massacre of our people at southern Kaduna is anything to go by. We didn’t see the police intimidating or arresting the suspects of the massacre, which means they have targets on those to victimise. The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who is said to be behind the arrest of our scholars and people, should be very careful because the more our people are arrested and intimidated the more we hate the VP and his entire party,” Malam Mai Jama’a said.

You voted againt him and his party but they still won the elections overwhelmingly, fair and square. So you could say the more you hate them, the better their fortunes elsewhere.